CAB
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There are two reasons for buying an 18-tonner with a sleeper – to help achieve better residuals over a day-cab, and because you want your driver to sleep in it.
As practical as the Midlum is, any more than the odd night away and the driver might question the MDs love for the employees.
It’s narrow, the bunk is the smallest, and it has the least internal height/ width/depth of the three vehicles.
But in terms of comfort the Midlum scores well, and part of the bunk is wide enough to house the driver contentedly. The driver’s seat is comfortable and you can get across the cab without too much fuss.
Any driver who has to spend more time away from home will enjoy the Scania CP19. From the footwell standing height is 1,850mm, which will cater for most drivers, and the bunk is also the longest, at 2,005mm. The only downside is the engine cover height, which is 460mm of immovable plastic, making access from the driver’s seat to the bunk not so straightforward.
MAN’s TGM pretty much mirrors the Scania’s CP19 in roominess. It’s slightly longer, lower and narrower, and the bunk is a tad smaller, but a significantly lower engine cover (260mm) means the central space opens it up nicely.
In terms of storage, MAN scores well with a large external locker and Scania has a pull-out draw under the bunk. All three have more than enough storage for paperwork, but all three cabs will force the driver to move any overnight bags from the bunk via the engine cover to the passenger seat and back again.